JoeyASPEC

Hey everybody... I'm in the market for some new rims and I really liked what wheelmax had to offer (see below), but then I did a search to see if any other people have used it and the only feedback i read was negative. Is this a reflection of the company or just a particular persons rim issues?

Before I go on there are some things you should know about me. I know a fair share about cars... NOTHING about rims. (I just know what I like and what I dont like lol) However, summer's approaching and I'm in the market for new RIMS AND TIRES. The rims are pictured below. After seeing the negative feedback about WheelMax, I googled the rim and nothing showed up, leading me to believe I didn't search well or that is WheelMax's brand.

My concerns are the following:

• WheelMax's reputation / availability of rims elsewhere.
• TPMS - will it work or am I SOL?
• Fitment
• Integrity

Keep in mind I have a 2006 RBP A/T. Sorry, but these are the most recent pictures.. not a big difference though as all I've done are TL-S tails/sides.

Pre ASpec rear and TL-S Tails




Post ASpec rear and most recent photo.


These are the wheels i like...

exel SILVER


exel GUNMETAL


exel HYPER LIGHT


nexo ANTHRACITE W/ CHROME LIP



I know I'm jumping the gun asking right noowww but does anyone reccommend a tire? I'm biased toward Michelin Pilots, as I've had them on everything I've driven. I've heard good things about the Michelin Sport Cups (pictured below) and like them but they dont look like they would resist hydroplaning very well... and in FL it rains a LOT during the summer.


http://www.michelinman.com/overview/..._cup/1719.html

ANy help/advice is welcome... This is not my area of expertise so plz dont hesitate to correct any mistakes i made or ask questions. thx.

JoeyASPEC

EDIT: forgot to mention - all of the above rims are 17x7.

kennyc

I would recommend sticking with tireracks if you are buying rims/tires for the first time. They carry wheels from more reputable manufactures. Check out what they have first.

as for tires. Those are competition tires. They are DOT approved but it only means they have mininum thread depth to be street legal. They will not last you more than a summer.

Go for the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 instead.

chill_dog

Get at least a X8 rim...you do not want to go to a narrower rim than stock.

G

The cups are excelent tires, but they wont last you long. I have a set on my viper, and they might last 3k miles The PS2 is the latest and greatest though, so you can't go wrong with it.

JoeyASPEC

Yeah I was lookin @ it and wondering how THAT tread was supposed to last long... The other ones i was looking @ were PS2s, though. thx for the help thus far. Chill.. I thought stock TLs were x8... the whole time i was looking @ rims i said "something's not right..." thanks for pointing out the dumb mistake.

Anyway, doesn't look like I'm going to have luck with WheelMax OR those rims... I'll keep lookin - in the meantime does anyone have a particular rim in mind that would look good on my car? I'm always open to suggestions. As you can tell, I'm not one for the FLASHHY FLASHY rims. (The nexos are about as flashy as I'm willing to get) Looking for something nice and sporty b/t 17 and 18". 19" are OK for FL.. but I live in NY half the year - so DEF NOT.

I appreciate the help so far.

Edit... what's the TL's bolt pattern?

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

i have always been a fan of how Volks look on our car..

NumberFive

The bolt pattern is 5x114.3.

Before recommending some rims/tires, what's your budget? And if you're spending time in NY, one winter will kill most rim finishes from salt damage. Remember that you'll have to swap your rims each winter.

JoeyASPEC

Thx. I'd most likely swap them out when in NY (potholes suck, too). I dont wanna spend a thousand dollars on rims... IMO rims are nice, not $1000+ nice. If I don't find rims I like for a price I like, I won't mind keeping my stock on... I'd just rather not.

Kamlung, I like the Volk rims, but they're not for me... One of those things I like on OTHER ppls cars lol.

JoeyASPEC

I like THESE.

Konig HotSwap
Gloss Black Finish w/ inserts.
18x8, 5/114.3, 40mm offset.

Yea or Nay?

NumberFive

I like the style of those. Can't find a price on them in 18's, though. And how are the inserts secured? I'd be worried about hitting a pothole and having one of those fly off.

Also, are you including tires in your $1000 budget?

JoeyASPEC

The inserts are screwed on. Not including tires in the budget. i dont wan't rims over $1000 for the reason that i expect to pay a total (rims AND tires) less than $2000. I found the price on another website. I'm pretty sure it was $187/rim. What bugs me is I can't find where to buy inserts...

MoHaWk2003

if you like those exel wheels, check out the advan model 5's. they are exactly the same style. i know you said you don't want to spend too much, but these will be unique/hot and you also get what you pay for.

http://www.gruppe-s.com/Advan/advanm5.htm

mrbrace

Exel wheels are bleh...I had some and they bent up like crazy, not strong at all

JoeyASPEC

Very cool... no my question... are they the exact same wheel with a diff brand name slapped on it or are they better b/c theyre not Exel?

Mr Brace - what do you mean by bent up? how? I'm not looking for racing rims but I don't want shitty ones either.

mrbrace

Sure thing. I used to have some exel bk-7s from wheelmax on my accord about 3 years ago. I usually to frequently dodge any and all potholes. But there is always one fateful time where you might forget or not notice, well it happened. I barely hit the pothole and the next time that I got my tires rotated the guys let me know that my rim was bent and my tires wore for 4000 miles in the inside...it was a terrible mistake to buy those wheels. Any other wheel could have held on, it was not deep whatsoever.

JoeyASPEC

^^ so does that mean Advan Model 5's are out of the question as well?

just to clear up any misunderstandings on my part... 8.5 width rims fit the TL correct? I've seen some posts saying that it doesnt fit the TL. ???

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

When I went to Tirerack and entered 07 TL-S the choice was small and all ugly wheels. The BBS was ok but BIG BUCKS. I agree that Tirerack is a great company, but a small choice for 07 TL-S

JT22

I would go with Toyo Proxes

1Clean_TL

ive bought from wheelmax before the wheels are alright but they only sell thin wheels 8" or below, most are 7" and bend easily

BlkonBlkAc

www.Wheelstudio.com seems to have decent deals

2003BlizAkTL

YEA these r extra sexy!!!!!!! good choice!

MoHaWk2003

i'm not 100% sure, but i think the advan model 5's are forged wheels, thus much stronger. they are made in japan and are a great brand. exel is nowhere close to their quality.

i used to have exel gt-7's on my 2k1 civic. i personally didn't have any problems with wheelmax or the wheels. i just felt the nankang ns1 tires that came with the package were really shitty. i got rid of them and got yokohama parada spec 2's instead.

JoeyASPEC

Alright... this is what it's come down to...

ADVAN MODEL 5s? (The Graphite color)
[PHOTOS]

or

KONIG HOTSWAPS? (With all of the color swaps)
[PHOTO] [INTERACTIVE / CUSTOMIZATION]
__________________________________________________ ________________
P.S.
-Thx to EVERYBODY for your help! I really appreciate it. I'll be sure to post a million pics once I decide.

chill_dog

Advans.

dan.....k

iTrader: (1)

Advans with Michelin PS2.

JoeyASPEC

^ looks that way... I kinda like the Chrome Advans better than the GunMetal ones. I usually prefer gunmetal rims to everything else but either the Advans are very light or the picture is crappy.

Ill probably be getting the chrome advans unless i can get an ACTUAL pic of the rim from someone or the manufacturer.

Armydog14

ADVAN MODEL 5 all the way!